By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
I have a feature on defensive end Shea McClellin in today’s newspaper.
The flip side of that story is the difficult year sophomore end Jarrell Root is having. McClellin replaced Root in the starting lineup after three games.
Root still plays as part of the end rotation but he has just two assisted tackles, both for loss.
“I’m not playing where I want to,” said Root, a Capital High product. “I’ve got a little bit of work to do. And it’s something that I’m working on. … I’m just riding it out. Once the situation comes to me, I’m going to make plays.”
Root is particularly frustrated by the fact that he doesn’t have a sack. He had 2.5 sacks in nine games last year.
“I’ve been evaded in almost every way, shape or form on a sack,” Root said. “The one against Miami (Ohio) haunts me still. That’s kind of what I’m focused on — trying to play better, trying to make plays and trying to be a part of this team a little more than I have been.”
Root described that missed opportunity against Miami like only he can.
“We blitz. I’m playing middle linebacker. I come in through the middle and my hips are facing the sideline,” he said. “The quarterback is right there. I take one step and try to grab him. He steps up. He just slides off. … I’m like, ‘no, no, no.’ And all of a sudden (linebacker) J.C. Percy comes in and sweeps him up. It was just devastating. Devastating. I’ve had a bad dream about that, really I have. Until I get one, that one’s going to be stuck in my head.”
•••
Speaking of frustration, the Broncos are searching for answers on their punt-return unit. Kyle Wilson has been limited to 12 returns with a 6.5-yard average. He probably has fair-caught more balls than he has returned.
The problem for the Broncos has been the latest rage in special-teams play — the “shield punt.” Teams spread seven cover guys along the line of scrimmage and place a three-man shield in front of the punter.
The scheme allows the coverage team to get down the field quickly, and from several different angles. It has been accompanied this year by high, short kicks.
Hawaii uses that system, too.
“We’re adjusting to that a little bit,” special teams coach Jeff Choate said.
Last year, Wilson averaged 14.2 yards and scored three touchdowns. His best attribute this year has been his patience.
“There’s no question there’s more people now staying away from that traditional punt,” coach Chris Petersen said. “They kick it high and you have to (fair catch) the ball right there. There’s no question that’s the game these days. Kyle has to continue to be patient and be really smart. That’s one reason we feel so good about putting him back there — he makes good decisions. We can’t let them bait us into doing something that’s going to cause a turnover.”
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Punt Returns
The shield punt may adversely affect Kyle Wilson's stats, but it's clear that he's using his head when he calls the fair catch. And if the other guys are willing to give up field position for no return, that's not a terrible tradeoff.
I really hope that the defense gets their heads around stopping the run. That seems to be the biggest problem for this season.
It's probably worthwhile to point out that this year was supposed to be something of a rebuilding year for BSU football. It's working out a little better than that, I think.
Fair Catch indeed
Its nice to give the "shield" punt all the credit for the lack of punt returns, but to be honest, Wilson is very tentative. He is also running laterally instead of vertically when he gets the ball. Why can't the special teams coach put a second receiver back there with Wilson? Seems to me like the shield makes it hard to block the kick, so why not focus on the return? A second receiver can then be a blocker in the more immediate vicinity of Wilson to help him get started. I haven't had my PM Espresso yet though, so maybe I'm completely off my rocker.
The Shield Punt
The shield punt does make it more difficult to block a punt in that with the "shield" the players create for the punter, it allows the linemen and gunners to immediately release from the line of scrimage and cover the punt instead of the punter which is why it reduces the chances of a punt return. In a tradional spread punt, the linemen stay in to protect the punt while the gunners go downfield by themselves to disrupt the return, however, my logic, which is very limited, but what I would do is not try to penetrate or block a "shield" punt but instead focus on preventing the linemen from going downfield, while the cover guys are knocking the gunners to the ground and preventing them from getting to Wilson.
I know it's easier said then done, but in the previous games I've seen, it appears that our punt coverage team is doing a horrible job at the line of scrimmage and simply letting everyone run downfield basically uncontested which is forcing Wilson to call for fair catches.
Maybe so
But you have to admit that Wilson is dancing too much and not running up field enough. Better to gain 8 yards straight ahead then to dance around and gain 2. Again, not to judge Wilson too harshly here, but it seems like he is afraid to get hit. I think a combination of what you mentioned (blocking scheme) and Wilson running more vertically will change things around. This years team has just not been able to generate big plays on special teams or on defense. I think we might see the Broncs really start to roll if they can get a couple punt returns and some interception returns.
You hit the nail on the head
It does seem that Wilson is too focused on breaking the big play instead of simply making a play in that he's backtracking, dancing around and trying to make something happen instead of getting the first 5-8 yards and seeing what opens up from there, but then again, it's easy for you and I to be critical from our keyboards isn't it?
I think that if the coach Choate can figure out how to manipulate the shield punt, and give Wilson some time, we'll start to see some things open up for him, but if we're seeing the best they can do with it, well, we're just going to see more of the same.
Games
It's interesting how a few guys who are doing without are miraculously able to grow one with incendiary anonymous internet posts. This is true, not only of demented ducks fans, but also a lot of local commentators on anything political and most things scientific. I know you all think that you know it all, but true wisdom comes in learning to accept that you don't know what you don't know.
Jealous?
Yeah, you are.
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There is no life in Idaho...it is a mirror site on god's server. You were dreaming but it is over. Go to your residence and await our commands and THEN we will restore control...
Root kid?
Does anyone know if Jarrell Root is the son of Frank Root? I went to school with Frank... he was a hard hitting defender in the day. Good stock if so.
Not Frank's Son
If you and I are talking about the same Frank Root, he is not his son. Frank is white, Jarrell is black.
Just picky with the paternity test, aren't we?
Ignorant of the notion that folks all got the same junk and do stuff, regardless of the factory paint.
That and ADOPTION.
Modern footwear tastes awful.
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There is no life in Idaho...it is a mirror site on god's server. You were dreaming but it is over. Go to your residence and await our commands and THEN we will restore control...
stopping the run....
shouldn't be a problem this week. If we can keep their receivers from getting off the line untouched it should disrupt their passing game. I'd love to see the "D" shut down that passing attack.
Second Half
If I remember correctly Wilson didn't start ripping it up on his punt returns until the second half of the season, when we played our "week" conference schedule. The only thing that matters is that he has the smarts to call fair catches when needed and not try to force a return where he could produce a turnover or even get injured. We need him more on the defensive side anyway.
Mid-season All American? Is it just me or does it seem....
like Kyle is not himself? He is having a solid year, but by no means is he at his best, and he is definitely not putting up All American stats! The fumble he lost seemed to not disturb him in the least! That was very disturbing to the BSU fans I was around at the time.
Think of it this way
If Kyle let the fumble get to him and enter his psyhe, the thoughts of another one would end up haunting him on every punt, and the same goes for QB's throwing INT's, they need to simply forget about them and move on.
I just wish it was that easy for Brotzman to forget and move on, but he's allowed the missed FG's to get to him and they've entered into his psyche and we've seen the results, so I'm quite happy that K-Dub didn't sweat the fumble
"Root is particularly
"Root is particularly frustrated by the fact that he doesn’t have a sack" brutal, just brutal. calling out jarell's manhood... ouch.
Whoa
Good one.
Wilson
So do you think his brother will somehow get his strange van over to Hawaii? Or, will he just have to run around with a poster of him?
Just look what happens when I take a few days off...
...crazy talk is wild on this blog. Let me set you mules straight again with a few factoids;
1. Strength of schedule is #1 and you are weak at best
2. In any BCS conference Boise juco would be fortunate to win 1-2 games.
3. The donkeys have never beaten an SEC, Big 10, Big East team.
4. Boise has only 5 "real" wins in program history.
Same old chest beating after 1 quality win. Just remember what happened last season;
BJC 13-0 = Poinsetta Bowl loss
Oregon 9-3 Holiday Bowl domination and glory.
As per usual 9 wins in any BCS conference is worth 13+ in the wiggitty wack.
Rack Me again as I continue to patrol my blog and set you mules straight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's your point?
A bit unclear on the point of your post — beyond trolling — since this article was about the shield punt and Kyle Wilson.
Also, a technicality. Your post is not a "blog." It is a comment on a blog. Perhaps you should get a blog, but it wouldn't be on the Idaho Statesman's website. Just sayin.
The other #33 SOS wasn't BCS #4 and USC was worse.
SOS is:
Distress call
Steel wool kitchen scrubber pad with or without added soap
Excellent ABBA song
I tend to prefer the Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anna-Frid (Frida) option.
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There is no life in Idaho...it is a mirror site on god's server. You were dreaming but it is over. Go to your residence and await our commands and THEN we will restore control...
I missed out on the glory part somehow...
is that what you get when you beat Oklahoma State in the Who Cares Holiday Bowl? Glory? Thats a lot of whine and cheese for a Quacker. Be sure to come back on "your blog" and rack me after USC boat races the Ducks in two weeks ok? Instead of FACTOIDS, I might suggest ALTOIDS, cuz your post stinks Bro!
GOOD NIGHT NOW!
Just for you...
...war donk;
Holiday Bowl glory over a Big 12 opponent, yes I am correct sir. When the mules start going to major bowls year in and year out then lets talk. Until then it's just another turd oozing from the mouth of the most dimwitted, ignorant fans in college football.
Rose, Cotton, Las Vegas(2), Aloha, Sun(3), Holiday(3), Fiesta, Emerald, since 1994, which BTW weren't the donkeys still playing DIII schools then? Yeah one Fiesta Bowl win on a trick play, 2 pure luck wins over Oregon and all of a sudden the mules deserve to play with the big boys. Hee Haw.
FACTOID; losing the Poinsetta Bowl and the wiggitty wack bowl every year doesn't help your cause, but then again neither does the pee turf and the high school stadium.
Any team can win one big game a year. Not to tough. But 12, not the mules. 3-9 in the Pac 10. No depth or staying power.
Yep, some things never change. You turds are such the broken record.
Rack me again, over and over again BBBBAAAAABBBBBYYYY!!!!!!!!!
Who Cares...
...Donkey Nation cares.
Everyone knows that you turds would sell the sydication rights to Hee Haw to go to a Bowl half as glamorous and rich as the Holiday Bowl.
Instead its the Poisetta Bowl against TCU or East Carolina or some other schmuck team that you will lose to.
Keepin it real on my blog
RACK ME!!!!
HMM....
Not sure if I am more impressed with your spelling or your metaphors...All I can say is.....SCOREBOARD!
And the hits just keep a comin...
...as for you wara**, the Horseshoe saloon just called to let you know that your collection of beta tapes of every season of Hee Haw have been successfully dubbed for showing at the pre Poinsetta Bowl Hoedown.
Saying SCOREBOARD means nothing when you play and beat no one. As per usual mulenation displays their finest ignorance and stupidity with every letter you type.
As I have so intelligently stated many times, anyone can gameplan for one team a year, but 12?? Not you in Boise. You barely beat Tulsa and UC Davis and put your whole season on the Oregon game which clearly was a fluke.
Yep, turds continue to ooooooze from your mouth specifically wara**. The mules are a joke as are you and the polls as well as the games are playing my prediction out like the puppetmaster I am. Purdue over Ohio St. Tulsa drags you down, voters not impressed but Grandpa and Minnie Pearl sure were!!!
Rack me over knuckledraggers every day of the week.
You are right
We played and beat the NO ONE Ducks from Oregon.
Rack me, fumBDuck!
Lamont, where have you been...
...you big dummy.
Hey, Rollo, tell me, if a wiggitty wack team beats a Pac 10 team and then goes on to win 10 straight against wiggitty wack teams does anyone care.
Answer, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Play somebody, PPPUUUULLLLEEEAAASSSSEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Heck, I could get Grady and Aunt Ester to join up with the Hee haw gang and put up more of a game than Tulsa and UC Davis.
Play in a real conference and play more than one meaningful game a year. Until than all you do is moot!!
RACK ME OVER AND OVER AGAIN
Agreed
You are keeping it real on your blog...Real dumb!
(No subject)
He's baaaaack!
Guess bduck is done picking up litter along his assigned stretch of the freeway, while wearing a spiffy "Property of..." jumpsuit.
GOOO BRONCOS!!!
Bsuck
You're funny. I like you. Let me know when they let you out of prison so I can make you my bunk muffin. Question? how many flukes does it take to get to a dck
Bsuck
BSU BEAT U OF O! TWICE! BSU BEAT U OF O! TWICE! BSU DOMINATES U OF O!!!! HEY, BSU BEAT, BEAT, BEAT, DEFEATED, DEFEATED, CLOCKED, RIPPED, DOMINATED, PORKED, SLAMMED, POUNDED, POKED, FRIED, SPIKED, CRAMMED, DEFLATED, U OF O UNTIL THEIR LITTLE BAYBIE HAD TO HAVE A TANTRUM!!!!! WAY IT IS, WAY IT WAS. YOU HAVE TO HAVE BALLS BEFORE I CAN RACK THEM.
Time to fly south for the winter Duck!
I enjoyed a lot of your comments until the "duck" started with his insults. It sounds like it is time to wake up from your Jim Rome "wet dream" as this is not his show, take out your pocket protector, go lose your virginity and fly south for the winter and keep hoping that the remake of "Deliverance" starts filming soon so that you can assume the Ned Beatty role that you seem so qualified to portray and stay off of true Bronco fan sites trying to make yourself feel better about losing twice to such a "redneck" team that you think BSU is.
Bsucking
The ducks know they can't beat USC. Thats why they are now changing their toon to bring back the loser Blount. I think they are a better team without the little temper tantrum baby. I'll bet Washington will beat you this week. That will be to bad for BSU, but shows U of O was just a "one game team". Got it up for an overated California, but can't sustain any depth. Too bad. Losers.
Bduck sucks...
Arguing with morons who don't know any facts is pointless. But I'll try it anyways.
BSU's OOC scedule is stronger than the top 3 teams. Look it up.
This page would be embarrassing to look at if you're an Oregon fan.
http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=292460068 (Oregon stats are horrifying, UC Davis did better.) I love ESPN's little tidbits about how Oregon sucked it up.
Oregon fans should be thankful for BSU's success, or supposed luck, because we are strengthening their schedule, and making them look better every time we win.
Someone who mocks a team that dominated their team twice, is a fool.
Ignorance is rampant...
...in the land of blue pee turf.
As always, you donkeys have no point other than to sound stupid.
No one is talking about your out of conference schedule, MORONS!!!!! It's all about STRENGHTH OF SCHEDULE!!!
Are you all dense? Oops, I know the answer to that one.
Anyhoo, Oregon's stats are horrifying, is that what you say muledroppings??
208.00 yards on the ground.
Top 20 in scoring and defence
Undefeated in a BCS conference
I could go on and on but proving you bowel movements wrong and exposing your ignorance is to fun. I must wait for the next knuckledragger to embarrASS themselves before I put you in you place again.
Rack me again. As always, I rule my blog and no one in mule nation has made a single point that I haven't proven wrong so keep beatin your little blue chests over the Oregon win. In the end it will get you nothing but the Poinsetta or Armed Forces Bowl.
Hee Hee Haw Haw Haw Haw. What a joke!!!!
Sad.......
Maybe you should get some medicated Carmex for your back side, becouse your still BUTTHURT over your mighty duckies getting punked twice by the Broncos. Let it go, stop your snivling, pull up your big boy undies, and above all if your so into "racking" yourself, seek professional help. Thank you.
Hula
I hope our mascot does a hula. A bronco in a grass skirt. warm up those hips. Chad could join in.
SOS & I don't mean Strength of Schedule
DumbF**k2009,
You can beat your feathers all you want, BSU beat you 2 years in a row. Period. Come back when you grow a set and are ready to quite making excuses. You can say whatever you want about how bad you would beat BSU now. The only thing that can be PROVEN is that we beat you 2 years in a row. No, wait, wait for it ... 2 YEARS IN A ROW. Just accept it, it's a fact. Maybe someday we will play you again and you'll win. I wouldn't bet on it, but time will tell.
Once again ...
...donkeynation makes my point for me.
I'm not whining about losing to BJC two years in a row. It happened, I don't like it, I believe there are reasons for both losses that go beyond how the mules played, but in the end they were both losses.
You muledroppings are so caught up in beating your chest over the only significant wins over your past two seasons that as always you miss the big picture.
You haven't earned anything, not a mention of a NC, not consideration for a BCS bowl, nothing.
You play teams that are a combined 19-25 the rest of the way with Idaho looming as the only team with a winning record. Oregon, on the other hand plays a schedule with teams at a combined 24-14, including 5 teams with winning records, all of which are conference opponents.
All of this ends up at our destination, which is the bowl season. 2-3 losses as a BCS conference team always beats out an undefeated wiggitty wack, just like last season. So enjoy going 13-0, although I truly believe you will lose to one of those losers on your high school schedule, and enjoy losing the big one again, Poisetta Bowl that is.
There it is turds. The factoids you have no answer for and continue to avoid. You don't earn it with one win. It's gotta be a schedule full of BCS opponents, something you wiggitty wacks just don't get.
Rack me!! Is this getting old?? I hope not cause I'm here all season long BBBBAAAAABBBBYYYY!!!!!!
Bduck is getting old - we agree on something at last
Still quacking and flapping their wings and their jaws.
http://images.radcity.net/6729/3906275.mp3
You got it toddlerk...
...quacking and flapping while the Game Day crew marvels at the Autzen experience...again.
Quacking and flapping to more losses yet a higher ranking and 10x better bowl than Bozo St.
Oh yeah baby, savor the 2 Oregon wins, put them in a place that will keep you warm this December while playing in another Poinsetta Bowl. Ha Ha,...
The joke, as always, is on turd nation.
Rack me again, thanks for the vine I am out for now BBBAAAABBBBYYYY!!!!!!!
Yeah, just as I thought
Not one intelligent comment back. Not one dimwitted argument to be made on the mules behalf. Why is that?? It's because all of you bowel movements know I'm right.
Every few years when Notre Dame is down or one of the other BCS conferences beat each other up, a wiggitty wack gets a bone tossed their way, and that I must say, like the polls, is getting way to political.
Orrin Hatch + a win over Oregon does not a BCS bowl make.
Yeah Utah got Alabama last year, but at least the MWC can play a little. I mean TCU, BYU, Utah, Colorado St, San Deigo St, Air Force. These teams at least have a little history of playing decent football.
The wiggitty wack is just a pathetic conference. La Tech, Utah St, San Jose St, Fresno St...comon, none of these teams has ever made a dent in the college football landscape.
For all the chest pounding Bozo St and Fresno do, where has it gotten you. Fresno is falling off the map and you mules cry when you win one game and then think your schedule should get you consideration for the BCS.
I mean at least Fresno had the anyone anywhere antyime thing going for it for a while. I will be so enjoying the drop week by week your turds make.
LOL in the USA!!!! Rack me again, I am the truth and cannot be disputed!!!!
Game Prediction
Rainbow Warriors 36 Bronco Billies 31
It's not really an upset, just one wiggitty wacker beating another. After all, Hawaii stunk it up in the Sugar Bowl 2 years ago and Bozo St has just been laying turd after turd since the Oregon game.
Hey vine, thanks for the Jim...what a tool Eddie from Boizee was and is...
Where are the defenders of the faith today?? Just nothing to come back when confronted with the truth. I know, I can't fault you for that.
Enjoy the flight home...Rack me again, man I am good!!!!!
Hey BDuck
Its 34-0 at halftime. Do you like ketchup or barbeque sauce with your crow?
BDuck?
Do you ever actually go to class?
This may come as a "SURPRISE" to us you mean BDUCK?
I think his postings answer that question for all of us reading. His postings are based on insults instead of common sense and facts. His repeated references to Jim Rome show that he has no life but to listen to talk radio in an attempt to collect some insightful tid bits in an effort to sound educated! Sorry, it is not working!
You might try some Oregon Duck sites where you can find some other fowl that share your ignorance. I think I speak for all readers that wish you would just go away as we grow tired of you!
I think I saw you this morning...
on Leo Harris Blvd. You were pulling up your half masted Oregon Intramural Sweatpants while puking in the bushes. I was gonna help you out Bro but I had to get to class.
You wish I was a punk student
The truth is, I am your master, as the Ducks rule the mules.
No amount of sensible factoids can penetrate your dimwitted, ignorant view on football, so the result will always be the same...proclaiming to anyone within earshot how great your football team is, when the sane world just laughs at you.
Mules don't fly...grasshopper, however, Ducks do play in the BCS while having more losses than Bozo St.
Factoid baby, Rack me again...you mules just can't hang can you.
LOL
I'm afraid...
the Ducks won't play in a BCS game with more losses than BSU. It might be fair, but it won't happen, especially with the political pressure being put on college football and the BCS system. Which is actually kind of unnecessary. The fact that BSU, Cincinnati, TCU, etc. are being ranked high enough to go to a BCS game and those in the past (i.e., Hawaii, etc.) shows that the system is catering to the pressure and willing to give these "smaller", non-BCS schools a shot at the title. I don't see what else they can do to make people happy, other than a playoff. But, if these non-BCS schools are honest with themselves, they should want the current system to stay. It gives them a much better shot at getting into the BCS and at that time, they only need to win 1 game (i.e, BSU vs. Oklahoma). With a playoff system these teams would have to win 3-4 games in a row against the top teams in the nation. Do they really want to put themselves in that position?